At the Herricks Board meeting, held at the Middle School, audience members brought up many issues, not the least of them being the return of a teacher on leave at the Center Street School. The parents wanted to know if the relief teacher could be left in the first grade since she had such a good rapport with the students. School Board President Emilia Sutz said that the issue would be discussed by the board in executive session and that Superintendent Jack Bierwirth would get back to the parents listed on the signed petition.

Richard Rostholder asked again, as he had at the last meeting, what was happening to the administration building and if the staff at the administration building was going to move to the Community Center.

In relation to the administration building construction the board voted to authorize the board counsel to commence litigation as necessary against all parties involved with the construction project at the administration building.

President Sutz said that the board was told that negotiations were progressing with the surety company regarding the construction. However, that apparently that was never the case. Because of this the board moved to ask its counsel to continue all litigation and to move rapidly to secure the building, to protect the assets of the community and for the protection of those individuals in the building. Sutz said, "We feel strongly that we will not allow the situation to continue any longer than it already has."

Bierwirth said, "I think this has gone on so long that people forget where we are. There has been no construction on the building since Oct., 2000. Those working in the building have been extraordinarily tolerant. That is why the board has asked counsel to work rapidly."

Sutz said, "Richard, we are angry, to put it mildly and angry that we had to wait this long. As to the second part of your question regarding a move to the Community Center, we have asked the superintendent to go back and review all of the options and at the next board meeting we will discuss those options."

William Tountas said he wanted to know why the board was taking such a "laid back" role in Board President Sutz' failure to file campaign expenditures in connection with the last campaign. He said, "It's been over a year since I have identified the problem. As the board knows the intentional failure to file these papers is grounds for removal. The board needs to look at this with a sense of urgency."

At the end of Tountas' very long speech, that he has made several times in the past, Board President Sutz said, "Thank you for your comments."

A number of parents again brought the discussion back to the problem of replacing the first grade teacher at Center Street School. Dr. Bierwirth said, "The board granted a leave of absence in the August meeting and certain aspects of this cannot be discussed except in executive session. A meeting was scheduled with the parents involved for the next day with Dr. Bierwirth at the Community Center at 9:15 a.m. The results will be announced at the next meeting.

Rostholder again asked why the board counsel was called to rule on a problem that was the board president's problem and he said he wanted to know why the board had no comment. Sutz said, "Be careful, how you misinterpret silence."

Rostholder said, "All I want is that the other board members comment on this subject." (Regarding the campaign expenditures and apparently waiting for a ruling from the New York State Education Department.)

Trustee Peter Grisafi said, "We are waiting for the state to give us instructions. That is perhaps why we have no comment."

Rostholder kept asking why the board could not comment on the Community Center move. Sutz said, over and over again that the board was cautioned not to comment on this subject as there is a lawsuit pending.

Jumping back and forth from subject to subject was very confusing to the trustees and to the public because the topic went from campaign expenditure to a Community Center move to the first grade teacher situation.

Tess Florintino wanted to know what was happening to the Community Center and if the seniors would still have a place to meet. President Sutz assured her that the seniors would be kept at the Community Center no matter what.

Dr. Bierwirth explained that the district was not negotiating with the construction company, but rather with the insurance company.

A parent wanted to make sure to go on record that if there was a move by administration to the Community Center that there would be no interruption of the STAC and Gemini programs that currently meet at the Community Center.

Dr. Bierwirth said, "I don't know if Richie is aware of this or not, but I said at an earlier board meeting that we would not do anything to surprise anyone in relation to the Community Center and I stand by my word. What I cannot do is create a committee in the district to sit with me to advise the board of legal action. It is not a committee decision and it is not something that the board can make a decision on and it can't be discussed in a public forum. But, when it comes to moving people and programs around please be assured we will let everyone know."

Bierwirth continued, "We do have a real problem. We have people working in the basement at the administration building in deplorable conditions and they have to be moved. We have to do something for them and I am going to try to juggle it around the way it works the best with the least impact on the community. The ideal situation would have been for the administration building to have been completed a year ago. But it wasn't and now we all have to deal with that and figure out what is best under the circumstances."

Sutz said, "As you can tell this is an emotional issue for all of us."

There was a report that the high school parking lot has been completed and traffic is moving well.

The following new courses were proposed for the 2002/2003 year:

Artistic Reflections on History

AP Statistic

Stress Management Coping with The Environment

College Calculus

Grade 12-English Elective-Independent Study

Trustee David Stollwerk said he didn't think that there was enough time to have a course in English Independent Studies because students would only be attending the course once-a-week. Stollwerk said, "What I think is lacking in the proposal is a lack of understanding to hone what kind of student should be recommended for this course. What I want you to give serious consideration to is the course as it is proposed now."

Christine Turner said she felt it was very refreshing to move in a different direction for the students especially after they have finished their AP courses and were typically bored during the last month or so of school.

Rich Rostholder, in detail, gave his thoughts on independent study. He suggested, at the end of his lengthy comments, that the course should perhaps only be for one month at the end of school.

During the course of discussion Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Ronald Barnes pointed out that this is a pilot program.

When the vote was taken the board voted to approve the new courses.

The calendar for 2002/2003 was approved. Next year school will begin on the Tuesday after Labor Day, Sept. 3. The last day of school will fall on June 25 which is a Wednesday. The calendar allows for 183 instructional days with two snow days.

It was also decided that the graduation date for the year 2003 will be announced at the Feb. 28 meeting. A task force has been created to tackle this problem.

The High School Jazz Ensemble and High School Show Choir trip to Boston on Jan. 19 was approved. The cost per student will be $150 each.

The next meeting of the board will be on Jan. 10 at the Community Center at 7:15 p.m.